How to Grow Heuchera or Coral Bells

Heuchera or Coral Bells

Heuchera have long been known as coral bells, because of the tiny red flowers on the top of the plant. With newer varieties, not all blooms are red. Another popular name is alum root.

This plant was a favorite in our grandmother's garden and is even more popular today due to all the new colors and flower shapes. No longer are they just green. Even though the flowers are small, hummingbirds and butterflies love them.

Heuchera are perennial plants, which mean that they will return year after year if properly cared for. Purchasing a plant will provide years of enjoyment.

Blackberry Crisp Heuchera | Source

Why are They Called Heuchera?

Heuchera are part of the family of plants known as Saxifragaceae. They are natives of the southwestern part of the United States. The genus of plants were named after Johann Heinrich von Heucher, who lived from 1677 to 1746. He was a professor of medicine and botany. Being friends with Carl Linnaeus, who is the man that named most plants, Linnaeus named these plants after Heucher.

Heuchera Cultivars at BBC Gardeners' World | Source

Choosing the Right Plant

At one time, all coral bells had green leaves. Next came the green variegated variety. Now you can find the plants in many colors and some even have ruffly or crinkly leaves. The blooms themselves are small and also are available in different colors.

The leaves will be showy for the entire season, so you should make your decision by choosing which variety you'd like from the color of the leaves and shape. Beautiful colors are available.

Most plants are only about a foot tall, but the height of the flower stalks can range in size from 12 to 30 inches. If you already know which location you'd like to plant them in, this might help you make a decision.

Be sure that the plant you choose will survive in your growing zone. Look at the tag. If you aren't familiar with zones, you can find yours at the USDA site. Most varieties will grow in Zone 4-8. Some will grow in zones 9 to 10.

Check it for disease. Look at the bottom of the leaves. If anything doesn't look right, forget it. The disease can spread to any other heuchera that you have.

Rootbeer Heuchera | Source

Choosing the Right Spot for Planting

I've planted mine in the front of a perennial bed where they can be easily seen. The fact that the leaves are so colorful all growing season is the reason I did this. I can enjoy some color before and after the other plants have quit blooming.

These plants aren't as picky about sunlight as most plants. Full sun to partial shade will be fine in northern climates. In southern climates, it would be best to plant them in an area with some shade. They will work fine in a rock garden, along the front of a wooded area or in the perennial bed. The plants survive well in pots too.

Coral bells do like an area that has moist, but well drained soil. If you plant them where water stands, they will rot. The plants like a rich soil and prefer it to have a neutral to slight acidic PH.

Heuchera grows well in pots if special care it taken. Just be sure to fertilize every spring and keep them watered.

How to Grow Heuchera

How to Plant Heuchera

Cultivate the soil deeply before planting. The plants do like an area with lots of organic matter. This should be added if lacking. Just use some composted plants or leaves or composted manure. If the soil is highly acidic or alkaline, you'll need to adjust it to a more neutral level. You can do this by adding lime to sweeten the acidic soil or sulfur if it is alkaline.

Space the plants at least 12 to 15 inches apart. If it is an extra large plant, provide a bit more space.

The roots should be covered and the soil should be just up to the base of the plant, not covering any leaves or covering the crown of the plant. If you purchased your plant in a pot, it should be planted at the same level as it is in the pot.

Rasberry Chiffon | Source

How to Care for Coral Bells

These plants take little care. When we moved, I put one in a pot and didn't have the time to plant it. I placed the plant in a shady place in the back of our property and then forgot it. Seven years later, I finally found the plant and moved it. The heuchera survived all that neglect and is now a healthy plant.

Many organic gardeners swear by using alfalfa pellets on their heuchera. Alfalfa pellets are horse food and can be purchased at any farm store. I haven't tried this, but my sister does and she says her plants grow bigger faster and are stronger plants. The problem with using alfalfa pellets is that they are sold in fifty pound bags. These are heavy to lift and you'd need huge gardens to use that much every year. Another problem is that as it decays it doesn't look good. Many solve this by covering it with mulch.

A 10-10-10 NPK fertilizer will keep your plants in good shape even if you don't use the alfalfa pellets. Apply it monthly during the growing season.

Keep your plants watered at least weekly, but not over watered. If the soil is too wet it can cause rot. Drip systems work well, because it is best to keep the leaves dry to prevent disease. If you don't have a drip system, water early in the morning, so they will dry when the sun comes out.

Watch the plant for sun scald. If the leaves become scalded, it should be moved to a cooler, shadier area.

If your winter has a lot of thaws, mulching is a good idea. The plant can heave from the ground exposing the roots. In northern areas, it just might save your plant if you have a severe winter.

If you would like to keep attracting the butterflies and hummingbirds, keep the flower stalks deadheaded. As soon as the flowers are looking spent, cut them off. New ones will appear.

Insects aren't much of a problem with heuchera. Deer do find the leaves tasty, so if you live in an area where this is a problem, use deer repellent or fence in the area.

Rust can be a problem in humid or extra damp areas. It is a fungus and causes pustules on the bottom of the leaf and an indentation on the top. Proper watering as reviewed above is the best solution to the problem. Be sure that the plants have good air circulation. Give them more room if they are growing close to each other.

How to Propagate Heuchera, by a tomas, Youtube

How to Propogate

Heuchera rarely reseeds itself. If it does and the plant is one of the newer hybrids, it won't be true to form anyways. The best way to propogate the plant is by division.

Divide the plants every 3 to 4 years or when they are getting large. Just dig it up and use a knife and cut it in half and then replant. Don't forget to work up the soil and use fertilizer, so the new plant does well. Now you''ll have another plant for your garden or to share.

24 comments

Great information about a plant I have never heard of. Now you've got me thinking as spring approaches. Thanks!

Barbara Kay 2 years ago from USA Author

Thanks for reading Bill. I can't wait for spring myself.

FlourishAnyway 2 years ago from USA

Beautiful and so well done! I can't wait until springtime.

Barbara Kay 2 years ago from USA Author

FlourishAnyway, Thank you for the compliment.

calculus-geometry 2 years ago from Germany

I love coral bells. I tried to keep one as a house plant when we didn't have a yard, but it didn't turn out too well.

Barbara Kay 2 years ago from USA Author

calculus-geometry, Thanks for reading the hub. Since it is a perennial plant, I'm not surprised it didn't work in the house. I hope you have some now.

susi10 2 years ago from The British Isles, Europe

Spring is almost here and I am thinking of what to plant this year. Heuchera sounds and looks like a beautiful and unique plant. I might try it out this year. Thanks for such a great hub, I enjoyed it!

Shared and voted up +++.

RTalloni 2 years ago from the short journey

Having lived in Florida I am still learning about plants for the Carolinas. Back home, coleus was a staple with its showy leaves in so many color varieties, but it just can't make it in these frigid winters. ;) I know true northerners laugh at that, but to me… Anyway, I've been learning about heuchera in the last year or two and have decided that they are my new coleus! Last fall I planted some in two large planters (purchased from a local nursery) and they have made it through this winter with flying colors--literally. Glad to read more about them here!

Barbara Kay 2 years ago from USA Author

Susi10, Thanks for reading. They are a plant I am into right now, because of their color. Thanks for sharing and voting up.

Barbara Kay 2 years ago from USA Author

RT Talloni, Thanks for reading. I hadn't thought about comparing them to coleus, but yes in a way they are a lot alike.

tirelesstraveler 2 years ago from California

You have solved the mystery. Quite awhile ago I was walking when I noticed an elderly gentleman tending flowers I really liked. My grandmother had grown them and I hadn't seen them in a long time. He told me they were Coral Bells. I have looked for them and not find them.

Heuchera I have seen, but didn't know they were the same plants. Thanks

Barbara Kay 2 years ago from USA Author

tirelesstraveler, I have grown these for years myself and I always knew them as coral bells. Once I started collecting different colors, I noticed on the tag of one of them what the real name was. All old time gardeners call them coral bells. Thanks for reading and I am happy I solved the mystery for you.

aviannovice 2 years ago from Stillwater, OK

These are pretty. I like the variegated ones the best.

Barbara Kay 2 years ago from USA Author

aviannovice, Thanks for reading the hub. I like them too.

ologsinquito 2 years ago from USA

The Green Spice Heuchera are very pretty. I see them a lot in garden stores and in the garden departments of some of the big box stores. Voted up and shared.

Barbara Kay 2 years ago from USA Author

ologsinquito, I don't have that one myself yet. I am going to try to collect more this year. I don't have a yellow yet either, so hope I find one on sale. Thanks for voting it up and sharing.

peachpurple 22 months ago from Home Sweet Home

You really can grow corals?

Barbara Kay 21 months ago from USA Author

peachpurple, Coral bells are a type of flower, so yes you can grow them.

pstraubie48 21 months ago from sunny Florida

Plants and growing things are a favorite way to spend a day. I do not have any of these in my yard but this hub has encouraged me to give it a try.

Thanks for sharing

Angels are winging their way to you this morning ps

Barbara Kay 21 months ago from USA Author

pstraubie48, Thanks for reading. The coral bells aren't much to speak of for the flowers themselves, but the leaves of some of them are beautiful when others aren't blooming.

Nell Rose 20 months ago from England

Hi, I love these plants but never knew that they were called Coral Bells! its the leaves that are amazing, fascinating read, now I want some for my balcony garden! lol!

Barbara Kay 20 months ago from USA Author

Nell, The flowers aren't much to speak about, but the leaves keep their color all year until they die down in the winter. An extra plus is that hummingbirds love them. Thanks for reading.

Nell Rose 18 months ago from England

Thanks again Barbara, I spotted this and I believe my partner has just bought some to put on our balcony! so, fingers crossed! still love this hub! lol!

Barbara Kay 18 months ago from USA Author

Nell Rose, I hope your partner did buy some for you. Thanks for commenting.